Lean and visual managements contribution to sustainable facilities management

Abstract

Sustainable management practices such as lean and visual management can be directly linked successfully to facilities management practices. This was acknowledged during an exploratory case study that assessed the leanness of a university's transformation, evaluating their lean and value-added approach to enhancing workflow efficiencies. The research study was limited to one UK university estates and property services lean journey. Design science research methodology with an action research approach was applied. In conjunction with qualitative methods such as interviews, questionnaires, and participatory observations in action that included a workshop. The literature review surmised that there is a lack of data demonstrating the correlation between lean visual management and sustainable management practices especially in facilities management services. Additionally, combining sustainable management and change management methods is also not widely researched. When sustainable management practices that include lean and visual management are implemented in facilities practices customer expectations are improved, waste eliminated, color coding and labelling implemented, and known sustainable practices such as recycling of furniture, fixtures and equipment occur adding value and reallocating financial resources. It is recommended that change management be introduced to better understand workplace culture when executing transformation directives. Subsequently, management will become better equipped at contending with employee's attitudes, work ethics, and behaviours. The originality of this research exploration illustrates that facilities management departments should embrace sustainable management practices that include lean visual management methods combined with change management. Consequently, improving employee experience, return on investment and acknowledgment from customers, senior leadership, and the C-suite.